Abstract: Systems and methods for multi-pressure interaction on touch-sensitive surfaces are disclosed. One disclosed embodiment of a method comprises receiving a first sensor signal from a touch-sensitive input device in response to a first contact of a first object on the touch-sensitive input device, the first sensor signal comprising a first location and a first pressure of the first contact, receiving a second sensor signal from the touch-sensitive input device in response to a second contact of a second object on the touch-sensitive input device substantially simultaneously with the first contact, the second sensor signal comprising a second location of the second contact and a second pressure of the second contact, generating a signal based at least in part on the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal, the signal configured to cause a haptic effect, and outputting the signal.

Abstract: A signal associated with multiple haptic effects is received, each haptic effect from the multiple haptic effects being associated with a time slot from multiple time slots. Each haptic effect from the multiple haptic effects is associated with an effect slot from multiple effect slots at least partially based on the time slot associated with that haptic effect. An output signal is sent for each effect slot from the multiple effect slots, when the associated haptic effect is scheduled for its time slot.

Abstract: Systems, electronic devices, and methods provide haptic sensations as a function of eye gaze. A system may include a detector configured to determine a direction of an eye gaze of a user of the system, a processor configured to generate signal representative of a haptic effect based on the direction of the eye gaze, and a haptic output device configured to receive the signal from the processor and output the haptic effect to the user. A method for providing a haptic effect to a user of a system may include determining a direction of an eye gaze of the user of the system, generating a haptic effect based on the direction of the eye gaze, and outputting the haptic effect to the user.

Abstract: A system is provided that controls a haptic effect experienced at a peripheral device. The system receives a haptic effect definition including haptic data. The system further receives spatialization data including: a distance of the haptic effect; a direction of the haptic effect; or a flow of the haptic effect. The system further includes modifying the haptic effect definition based on the received spatialization data. The system further includes sending a haptic instruction and the modified haptic effect definition to the peripheral device. The system further includes causing one or more haptic output devices to produce one or more haptic effects based on the modified haptic effect definition at the peripheral device in response to the haptic instruction.

Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a touch-sensitive surface, which includes: a first surface on a first plane; and a second surface adjacent to the first surface, wherein the second surface is on a second plane different from the first plane. The illustrative system also includes a haptic output device configured to receive a haptic signal and output a haptic effect. Further, the illustrative system includes a processor coupled to the haptic output device and the touch-sensitive surface, the processor configured to: determine an event; determine the haptic effect based at least in part on the event; determine the haptic signal based at least in part on the haptic effect; and transmit the haptic signal associated with the haptic effect to the haptic output device.

Abstract: A device has a user interface that generates a haptic effect in response to user inputs or gestures. In one embodiment, the device receives an indication that the user is scrolling through a list of elements and an indication that an element is selected. The device determines the scroll rate and generates a haptic effect that has a magnitude that is based on the scroll rate.

Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a processor configured to determine a haptic effect, wherein the haptic effect includes a static ESF effect or a confirmation ESF effect; and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The illustrative system also includes an ESF controller in communication with the processor, the ESF controller configured to receive the haptic signal, determine an ESF signal based at least in part on the haptic signal, and transmit the ESF signal. The illustrative system further includes an ESF device in communication with the ESF controller, the ESF device including an ESF cell and configured to receive the ESF signal and output the haptic effect.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using textures in graphical user interface widgets are disclosed. For example, one disclosed system includes: a processor configured to: receive an interface signal from a touch-sensitive interface associated with a display area; receive a display signal associated with the display area, the display signal comprising a plurality of pixels associated with one or more colors; assign a haptic value to each color; determine a texture associated with a group of the plurality of pixels by determining the haptic value associated with the group of the plurality of pixels; determine a selected actuator by selecting a first actuator if the haptic value is less than a threshold and selecting a second actuator if the haptic value is greater than or equal to the threshold; and transmit a haptic signal configured to cause the selected actuator to output a haptic effect configured to simulate the texture.

Abstract: One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a computing device in communication with a display device and a sensor. The display device is configured to display a plurality of content and the sensor is configured to detect a field of view of a user of the computing device relative to the display device. The sensor can transmit a signal associated with the field of view to a processor in communication with the sensor. The processor is configured to determine a direction of the field of view of the user based on the signal. The processor is also configured to determine that a content displayed by the display device and associated with a haptic effect is within the field of view of the user. The processor is also configured to determine a haptic effect associated with the content and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The illustrative system also includes a haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.

Abstract: Systems and methods for physics-based tactile messaging are disclosed. For example, one disclosed method includes the steps of receiving a sensor signal from a sensor configured to sense a physical interaction with a messaging device; determining an interaction between one or more virtual message objects and a virtual message environment, the interaction based at least in part on the sensor signal and a virtual physical parameter of at least one of the one or more virtual message objects; and determining a haptic effect based at least in part on the interaction. The method additionally includes the step of generating a haptic signal configured to cause an actuator to output the haptic effect.

Abstract: Systems and methods for interfaces featuring surface-based haptic effects are described. One described system includes a sensor configured to detect a touch in a touch area when an object contacts a touch surface. The touch surface may correspond to the display area or may correspond to a non-display surface of a computing device or peripheral interfaced to a computing device. The system can further include an actuator in communication with the processor and coupled to the touch surface, the actuator configured to output a haptic effect and a processor configured to select a haptic effect to generate. The haptic effect can be selected based on a position of the touch and recognizing an input gesture provided by the touch and/or content displayed in a graphical user interface at a location mapped to a position in the touch area at or near the touch. The haptic effect may provide a texture, simulate an obstacle, and/or adjust the coefficient of friction of the surface.

Abstract: A method for providing haptic feedback is provided for a device that produces haptic noise, such as a power tool with an electric motor that produces noises and vibrations while in operation. An environmental condition of the device can be sensed while the device is being operated and generating haptic noise. A haptic noise characteristic of the device can be determined. A haptic drive signal based on the environmental condition and haptic noise characteristic can be generated. The haptic drive signal can be applied to a haptic output device associated with the device.

Abstract: A system includes a wearable device, a second device remote from and in communication with the wearable device, a processor configured to generate a control signal representative of an event occurring in an environment related to the wearable device and/or the second device, and a haptic output device configured to provide haptic feedback based on the generated control signal.

Abstract: One illustrative computing device disclosed herein includes a first sensor configured to detect a position associated with a deformable surface and transmit a sensor signal associated with the position; and a processor in communication with the sensor, the processor configured to: receive the sensor signal; determine a haptic effect based at least in part on the sensor signal; and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The illustrative computing device also includes a haptic output device in communication with the processor, the haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.

Abstract: A modular peripheral device assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a handheld controller and an assembly base. The handheld controller includes a first haptic actuator configured to generate a haptic effect at the handheld controller. The assembly base includes an attachment component that is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the handheld controller, and a second haptic actuator configured to generate haptic a effect at the assembly base or at the handheld controller when it is attached to the attachment component. The assembly further includes a control unit configured to select, based on whether the handheld controller is attached to or detached from the assembly base, at least one of the first and second haptic actuators to generate a haptic effect.

Abstract: A haptic output device includes a touch surface, a sensor configured to sense an input at the touch surface, and a controller configured to read the sensor, identify a location of the input, switch from a read mode to a write mode, and write a voltage based on the location of the input to generate an electrostatic output.

Abstract: A haptic peripheral includes a housing, a deformable substrate coupled to the housing to be moveable thereto, and a smart material actuator coupled to a surface of the deformable substrate. The smart material actuator produces a force that deforms the deformable substrate relative to the housing in response to the control signal from a processor to thereby provide a haptic effect to a user of the haptic peripheral. The deformable substrate includes at least one user contact portion configured to contact the user and two opposing hinges. The deformable substrate also includes at least two stiff arms, each stiff arm extending between the user contact portion and one of the two opposing hinges. The stiff arms are relatively stiffer than the user contact portion and the hinges such that the deformable substrate is configured to increase the deformation of the deformable substrate relative to the housing.

Abstract: A method of generating haptic effects includes detecting an input of pressure applied to a device using a gesture and determining a level associated with the gesture based on the pressure input, as well as determining a selection of an item at the level based on the gesture and a context associated with the item at the level, along with generating a contextual haptic effect comprising haptic parameter based on the context of the item at the level.

Abstract: A system, method and computer-readable medium for generating haptic effects are provided. Haptic permissions settings are received for a user. The haptic permissions settings are associated with permitted haptic parameter ranges for the user. Haptic parameters are then received. For each haptic parameter that falls outside the permitted haptic parameter ranges, the haptic parameter is modified to create a modified haptic parameter that falls within the permitted haptic parameter ranges. A haptic signal is generated based on the haptic parameters that fall within the permitted haptic parameter ranges and the modified haptic parameters. The haptic signal is then output to a haptic output device to generate the haptic effects for the user.

Abstract: A device has a user interface that generates a haptic effect in response to user inputs or gestures. In one embodiment, the device receives an indication that the user is scrolling through a list of elements and an indication that an element is selected. The device determines the scroll rate and generates a haptic effect that has a magnitude that is based on the scroll rate.